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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

The set is around $40-$50, but there are .pdf files all over the place that you can find.

I've worked on #1 and #2 and performed #2 a few times, as well as the Variations. #1 is by far the easiest, and everything else is really hard. The provided metronome markings are frequently far too fast to be followed, and every piece is essentially prestissimo, considering how busy the hands are kept.

Have you listened to the op. 41 variations and op. 53 preludes? Those are probably some of his more accessible (and romantic almost) pieces. I think his own performances are the best, because he has his unique tone and sense of rhythm which keeps things interesting. Hamelin is kind of crazy in his recording of op. 40 no.3 though.

Have you listened to the op. 41 variations and op. 53 preludes? Those are probably some of his more accessible (and romantic almost) pieces. I think his own performances are the best, because he has his unique tone and sense of rhythm which keeps things interesting. Hamelin is kind of crazy in his recording of op. 40 no.3 though.

I've heard the variations, and some of the preludes. I like the F major.

A few of my favorite moments in the Opus 40 etudes, which I will point out in the videos since I have no score available:

1:55 here, and especially that chord on the downbeat of the fourth bar, at 1:58. The sonority is amazing in this section. Very Rachmaninoffian in a way.

Also, 2:25 in this one - the sudden shift of character, and then those classic stride chromatic tenths with the running thirds - awesome is the only way to describe it.

I also love the opening of this one - it reminds me of the music from those Charlie Brown cartoons I used to watch as a kid.